Village Activities

Intoduction: A number of activities take place in Longhirst Village covering a wide range of interests and ages.

For dates when the activities are running, please refer to the calendar. Equally for strictly Church activities click Church in the menu. For further information please contact the relevant person via the contact us page.

Below some brief descriptions of activities in the village.

Badminton:From September to March every Tuesday evening from 8.15pm in the village hall there is a village badminton session. Anyone wishing to take part should contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carpet Bowls:From September to March every Monday evening there is a Carpet Bowls meeting (from 7 pm)in the village hall. Anyone wishing to take part should contact: webmaster.

Coffee Mornings:Once a month, on the second Saturday, between 10.15 and 12 there is a coffee morning in the Village Hall. Routinely a bunch of volunteer Litter Pickers spend from 10 - 11 scouring the village approach roads for litter for which duty they are rewarded with a free coffee.

Garden Association:There is an energetic Garden Association Committee which organizes a village 'Flower and Vegetable Show' each year in late August or early September. We follow Royal Horticultural Society guidelines. There are also classes in baking, jam making, photography, etc.

Lunch Club:Twice a month on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays there is a lunch served (from 11.45 am) in the village hall to members of the "Lunch Club". All you have to do is to notify the organizers (contact: webmaster) of your desire to take part.

Open Gardens Bi-annually, since 2005, some dozen gardens in Longhirst Village have been opened to the public on the last weekend in June and a Flower Festival held in St. John's Church. Teas have been available in the village hall, and treasurer hunts, rides on a vintage bus or model railway have provided additional attractions. Monies raised have gone towards village and church charities.

Social Activities:There is usually an impromptu party in the Village Hall on New Year's Eve. Simarly, there is usually a barbecue or Hog-roast during high summer. Last year there was a Burn's Night dinner complete with haggis and piper.

U3A:For those who are no longer in full time employment who wish to keep learning, whether that be exploring local history, Northumbrian footpaths, philosophy, or contemporary fiction, there is a University of the Third Age (u3a) that meets regularly in the village hall. (Contact: http://www.mid-northumberland-u3a.org.uk/)

Walking:On the 4th Sunday of alternate (Feb., April, etc.) months the Longhirst Amblers enjoy a walk of some 6 miles, taking sandwiches and ending at a pub. There is usually a dog or two (on a lead). Amblers take it in turn to suss and lead the walks which may take place anywhere in the region that can be reached in 45 minutes by car. Walkers congregate at the Village Hall to rationalize cars, usually at 10.30. (Contact: Longhirst Leader Team)

The Junior Activities Group:Each Tuesday evening from 18.30 - 7.30 a 'youth club' is organized in the Village Hall, with qualified adult supervision. The activities offered include arts and crafts, cooking, darts, five a side football, badminton, soft tennis and a variety of board games.